Real-time tracking for those who fear sharks

The team's work off the coast of Mackay has been hindered by high winds after efforts last week were hampered by the remnants of cyclone Ola off the Fraser Coast.

The ship berthed in Mackay Marina at the weekend and was due to stay in the area until Friday.

However, expedition leader Chris Fischer said after an unsuccessful search for tiger sharks around St Bees Island and the hampering winds the team had decided to head north. It was due to leave yesterday afternoon.

Mr Fischer said three sharks had been caught, tagged and released near Fraser Island. The team hopes to catch 20 sharks.

The main aim of the expedition is to study large mature tiger sharks in Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia. Tiger sharks are the apex predator in northern waters.

Team hope to catch sharks for live tracking:
Mr Fischer said three sharks had been caught, tagged and released near Fraser Island. The team hopes to catch 20 sharks.

On board the MV Ocearch are scientists from Tokyo, Argentina and the USA as well as researchers from the University of Queensland, James Cook University, the universities of Western Australia and Tasmania.

The sharks are caught on a handline from small boats and brought to the Ocearch, where a custom-built 37-tonne platform safely lifts them from the ocean.

Scientists have around 15 minutes to conduct 12 different studies, including tagging and sampling.

The tags would allow study of the sharks' migratory patterns leading to safer beaches, Mr Fischer said. They will show tiger shark movements and provide scientists with up-to-date accurate data.

People will be able to tap in to ocearch.org for near-real time, free satellite shark-tracking for themselves to see where the predators are before heading off for a swim at the beach.

The study has been supported by Hastings Deering and Caterpillar, which provides engineering support.